ETERNAL LOVE OF THE BLUE MOON DRAGON
(An Original
Dragon Love Story by BoSt- Also, a revised version with AI pics, of the Blue
Moon Dragon)
Once upon a time on an enchanted island far, far away there
was a mighty Blue Dragon, the last of his kind, who inhabited a majestic
mountain cave.
Long before he was
born a meteorite crashed into this Planet and devastated the entire island,
causing a massive extinction of many species including the antediluvian Dragon Kingdom. The Dragon Queen, with her gift of
premonition, foresaw this cataclysm.
When her warning fell on deaf ears, she arranged to have both of her precious
blue and green eggs stored with the necessary provisions deep in the caverns of
a mighty mountain.
No one could have imagined that the scale of devastation and upheaval would be so catastrophic and far-reaching; hence they all perished leaving the land barren for many centuries to come. Meanwhile of the two eggs carefully stored in the depths of the mighty cave only one had survived to hatch. The blue dragon therefore was born into a lonely existence and grew up fending for himself. Eventually the land recovered and other life-forms began to thrive in this rich, pristine environment.
The blue dragon, now grown larger still, with his giant wings
often soared through the skies in search of food, longing to find evidence of other
dragons.
During his searches when earthquakes, landslides or other
such catastrophes unearthed the remnants of the ancient Dragon civilization he
discovered vast stores of knowledge that revealed the cosmic secrets of the
universe and the gateway to the many other worlds that lay beyond the mystical
sea surrounding his world. Unfortunately he also came to realize that he was
alone, and would be alone forever, as the Age of Dragons had come to an
end. Rage and sorrow took hold of him
and the explosive energy he unleashed very nearly destroyed the island once
again.
He regained his senses just in time. Coming to grips with reality, he settled down
and searched the surviving stores of knowledge, assimilating this vast
information in gradual segments. Meanwhile he’d already learned purely by
accident that close proximity to the sun always helped to regenerate him. Proximity
to the moon pacified his senses and, by the same token, he discovered the joys
of meditative serenity.
As he grew in maturity, possessing more knowledge now, he ventured
through the doorways to other existing worlds. On these many excursions, he
discovered other lands over the mystic seas, realms that were populated by
strange flora and creatures. Further and
further he went searching for adventure or, perhaps, a likely companion. He was innately precautious and concealed his
presence well. By this time he’d
acquired many mystical powers. Beside that of concealment, he was now able to
shape-shift into other living forms, however large or small. This made him bolder as he integrated into
still stranger circumstances, such as those of the two-legged human
creatures.
He mingled among them learning their complex structures of dialogue, barter, social etiquettes and their varied rules of governance. He found that, with practice, he could maintain his disguise for longer and longer periods, but never longer than a span of one night. His concealment was also more effective at night, for sunshine was too invigorating for him to constrain his powers.
~
Once at dusk while flying over a well fortified powerful
kingdom a strange sound wafted to his ears and, looking down, he spotted well
manicured lawns and gardens with carefully structured pools and bridges. He’d
never seen so fine a garden and so he swooped silently down and, as soon as his
feet touched a branch, he transformed himself into a songbird.
It was a fine summer’s twilight with a light breeze that invited all beings into the outdoors. A group of people were laughing and chattering, advancing towards the tree he was perched on. He withdrew to the cover of thicker foliage to observe unheeded the small entourage now setting up a picnic down below.
The one among them
standing to the side was particularly appealing. For one thing she had flawless white
porcelain skin and was finely dressed. Her cascading golden hair was carefully
managed with brilliant gems that gleamed like many stars in the full moonlight.
She held a bouquet of flowers to her bosom so fragrant that it wooed his senses.
The others, like flittering butterflies, rallied around her attempting to make
her jovial and content. This somewhat amused the Dragon, and he watched their
behaviour and hers without tiring of it for the entire length of their gathering.
When they prepared to leave, he at once made himself invisible and followed after. His curiosity led him all the way back to her quarters but, seeing that they all went to bed, he reluctantly took his leave, flying out the open window. But at least he knew where this interesting creature dwelled, and he promised himself to return the next nightfall.
At first he was content watching her from afar in disguise but,
bit by bit, he became smitten with her strange but sweet ways. By then he understood more of the ways of
humans and how he might win her affections.
Fortunately, she valued her time alone and often would send her
attendants away on some fool’s errand just to gain some solitary, quiet moments
by herself. Often she managed to sneak away at the conclusion of dinner to
spend a tranquil period in the library. At other times she contrived to spend a
few moments outside among the beds of flowers, leaning her back to a tree in
contemplative repose. It was on one such occasion when the Blue Dragon decided
at long last to approach her.
Desiring not to frighten her and wishing for a favorable
response, he first transformed himself into a human male. He’d seen certain
illustrations in poetry books, specific figures that she expressed some
interest in, therefore he fashioned himself into a mixture of those features
she liked best: a youth of similar age,
rather handsome and dressed in fineries.
He even picked a name for himself:
Maviaku Brug, which translates as, ‘Blue Moon Dragon’.
He knew enough of the rules of propriety not to manifest and
accost her in her private quarters, so he waited for an opportunity when she retreated
into the garden seeking some solitude. Their first meeting was somewhat awkward
and, regrettably still caused her a fright. But he soon talked his way out of
it and won her confidence with his charm and wit.
In time, during many more clandestine encounters, as they discovered they had the same zest for life and innocent fondness for adventure, they grew much more attached to each other. Of course all during the exchange they’d maintained the strictest propriety and observed proper decorum, thus nothing untoward or improper transpired between the two. This platonic love however had grown from bud to blossom soon possessing both their heart and soul. Eventually when Maviaku Brug revealed his true form to her, he was delighted to find it made no difference at all. Meanwhile he was now free to not only share his innermost qualms but also, on the plus side, the multitude of advantages and joys that come with being a dragon.
Often, on her insistence, she was whisked away into the
clouds riding on his back to view the world in a new thrilling way, an elation
she could never have experienced without him.
She was so happy then, that all else, all mundane earthly matters simply
vanished in a puff. Hours spent with him
simply melted away but when he was absent her heart pained with that unbearable
longing for his company.
One fine evening, while resting on a strange high meadow by
a spring, he reached forward and gently clasped her hand and looked questioningly
deep into her eyes. No words were necessary, she simply nodded her assent and
from that moment on they were bonded forever.
With a shy smile he drew a small packet from his robe,
wrapped in a blue cloth that shimmered as if with the light of many stars. When
she opened it she saw it was a figurine of a songbird.
Looking lovingly into her eyes Maviaku explained its meaning, “It is made from the stones of the Moon, where I stay when I want to be close to you, and it is shaped like the songbird I became when I observed you and your attendants in the courtyard that first evening. Keep it to remind yourself of me, and my eternal love for you.”
“I shall cherish it forever. “She kissed the bird’s beak
then reached forward to lovingly hold his hand.
~
Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. One stormy night their closely guarded secret
was discovered by a jealous attendant and, when promptly brought to the
attention of His Majesty, his fury knew no bounds. He had three sons but only one daughter and
now his darling daughter had being sullied by this, this dastardly intruder.
Immediately, a trap was devised to capture this brazen interloper.
When the opportunity struck armed guards
descended on him. Maviaku Brug could have
transformed himself into his true form and incinerated them all, but he was far
too concerned for the Princess’ well being, so he allowed himself be captured
and brought in chains before his Majesty.
The King was in a murderous mood and could not be reasoned with. Despite severe beating and torture the truth could not be attained, yet a most heinous, ruthless punishment was pronounced upon the presumed culprit. Badly bruised, bleeding profusely with many ribs and bones broken (for in this form he was as vulnerable as any human was) Maviaku was dragged outside by his chains for the administration of his harsh punishment. As soon as he was outside of the audience hall he was able to use his skills and simply vanished into thin air.
The poor guards unfortunately were made to suffer for their
failure. Meanwhile the Princess was confined to new quarters high up in a tower
and this time, placed under close scrutiny. She was watched day and night as
the general consensus was that she was under the spell of a malevolent
sorcerer.
For the good part of the year she was a virtual prisoner, never
allowed a moment’s peace in all that time, nor was she left alone for a single moment.
Day after day, month after month, the attending
Priests and palace doctors had came to and fro, at first keeping her heavily
sedated then gradually endowing her with small portions of added liberties.
She was eventually allowed to return to her more luxurious
former quarters after she pretended she had been cured from the paranormal
malady. Despite all their persuasive methods and medicinal concoctions they
forced to ingest, however, deep within her soul and heart she’d maintained the seeds
of affection for her beloved Maviaku. When things grew unbearable she drew
strength from her memories of times shared with him. This source of happiness, the like of which
she’d never known, was, after all, inexhaustible. So long as she drew breath she knew she could
never forsake him for he, her first true love, was already an inseparable part
of her being.
~
Three nights hence would be the second full moon of the last
month of the year, also known as a Blue Moon.
Theirs was a superstitious nation, so many candles were lit and the residual
smoke from the burning of incense imbued with scent crafted to scare away evil,
permeated the air till dawn. Meanwhile, the Priests beat drums and held prayer sessions
and sacrifices to appease the wandering evil spirits of the Blue Moon.
As soon as dusk fell, confident in their measures to rid the
Palace of the least evil, exhausted from vigorous day’s activities, all
denizens of the Palace and city had fallen into deep slumber peacefully tucked under
warm quilts in their beds. Complete
silence prevailed throughout the Palace and the land.
At stroke of midnight the Princess suddenly awoke with a
start. She had sensed movement in the
room. True enough there he was, the handsome young man was now turning away
from the window to smile at her.
How fortunate that she had left the window ajar.
“Please do not be
frightened?” He approached her hesitantly. “I’m sorry I’ve disturbed you. “ He
bit the corner of his lip to constrain the bursting emotions of rage and
sorrow. “You’ve endured such hardship on
my account…I meant to come earlier, but…”
“It is I who should beg your forgiveness.” She interjected
and, eyes brimming with tears, she shook her head in dismay. “They’ve treated
you so abominably. And I, oh I felt so helpless to do anything about it!”
In truth, she’d done her best to sway them. In the beginning she’d even secured her
mother’s help by appealing to her compassion and when that yielded no result, enlisted
her brothers’ help to reason with a father hell bent on revenge. But it was all to no avail. Instead, all her
efforts had further convinced His Majesty of her possession by the evil
sorcerer (otherwise known as the Blue Moon entity), as well as necessitating
harsher measures and her prolonged incarceration.
“It grieves me to say this, but I’ve come to bid you
farewell. I will not forget you, ever.” Maviaku turned to hide the emerging
tears.
Rushing over she grabbed his arm and in a sobbing voice
pleaded, “Please don’t go. But, if you
must, I want to go with you, wherever that may be!”
He smiled and, cupping her face, looked deep into her eyes. “I’ve
come to love you so very much. “ He leaned over and gently planted a kiss on
her forehead. “Know this, regardless of
any future outcome; you are now and forever will be my one and only mate.”
His face grew grim and he nodded. “However, I should have
known there was so little, perhaps no chance at all, for us. I’m sorry; this is
the way it must be for now. “He turned to go, then stopped, and after a
thoughtful pause, drew from his finger a ring. He then took off his shiny blue cloak
and presented both of them to her.
“One thing I have learned is that there are infinite
possibilities to this universe and that nothing in it can be deemed impossible.
Out of my deep regard and affection for
you, I offer you the freedom to choose. Conceal this ring well and guard our
shared secret. Wear this garment when the
Blue Moon manifests and remember that I love you from afar. If, at the conclusion of your life span, you
still have same affections for me, put on this ring on your forefinger and don
the blue cloak. On that night I give you
my solemn pledge that I will return and from that day hence, we shall be
eternally together.”
He then transformed into a song-bird and flew out the
window.
Wiping her tears, she folded the garment carefully and
placed it in the drawer of her night table but she sought a more secure location
to hide the ring. As it so happened there was a stone encased in loose mortar in
a dark corner of the room behind some furniture. She’d discovered it when she was a child and
concealed her most prized possessions there. It also contained the moon rock he
had sculpted to resemble a bird. Opening
this niche she placed the ring alongside her other prized possessions. Then, though
overcome with fatigue, when she went back to her bed and lay down, she was too
emotionally overwrought to sleep.
~
She woke up feeling listless and somewhat disoriented when
the sun’s brilliant rays streamed into the room. She lay still with her eyes closed and lent half
an ear to the bustling feet and muted but excited conversations of the attendants’
eager anticipation of the day’s events. They were bustling about, carefully
selecting and rearranging the formal garments she would wear that day. After the family breakfast in the main hall,
there was to be a prayer session that would be presided over by His Eminence,
that old coot, in the Grand Chapel. In
truth, hoping but doubting the validity of last night’s series of events and
her brief encounter with her beloved Maviaku, she maintained the farce of sleep
as long as possible so as to carefully mull
over the facts.
The day‘s tedious ceremonies and events seemed to last
forever, but as soon as she could, she seized the first available opportunity and snuck into her room, locked the door then
proceeded to check the drawer. True enough, in there a strange blue garment was
folded, but it was not gleaming or as extraordinary as she recalled. A moment
later she fetched the ring from its hiding place and carefully examined it;
running her fingers absently over the strange inscription underneath. She next brought out the moonstone bird and,
caressing it, kissed its beak before placing it back.
The garment, despite its apparent simplicity, was secretly
treasured by her. Thereon, after each Blue moon when everyone retired for the night
she would, without fail, quietly don the blue garment and sit by the window
waiting for her beloved to return. But he never did. As a small consolation she
would feel his presence and warm embrace however, as she sat while the garment,
basking under the moon’s rays, brilliantly glistened and came to life with countless
dancing stars.
She was eventually forced to marry a Prince whose kingdom’s alliance
was a political necessity. In time she bore three children. Her life in that
other kingdom seemed surreal as she functioned within the parameters of
acceptable behaviour for the wife of a Crown Prince who then became a King.
During these years, she never wavered once from her initial
promise to her true beloved and wore the blue cloak every Blue Moon. She kept this secret well hidden from all,
even her children.
Her warmongering husband the King eventually met his demise
during one of his campaigns. After the elaborate funeral, the widowed Queen was
allowed to return to the Palace in her homeland after her son, the Crown
Prince, took the reins of power.
Eventually old age claimed the dowager Queen but by then her
two other children had been married off to suitable diplomatic advantage and
were living elsewhere. On this night of her final Blue Moon she asked her close
confidant to fetch the plain blue cloak for her and help her don it. In tears the
other did as she was bid and, complying with her wishes, left her Majesty
alone.
With some difficulty she retrieved the ring from its hiding
place where it had lain for the many years since she had married. Finally the
former Princess, now a dowager Queen, placed it on her fore-finger. Going over
she sat by the window to await her beloved’s return.
This time he did come. He looked the same as before, not a
day older. Her inhibition soon melted
away when he reached forward and kissed her on the mouth, gently breathing his magical
dragon’s breath into her parted lips. Instantly
she was transformed into her young, vigorous, beautiful self. Better than her
young self though, for she was now an immortal.
“Are you ready?” He
asked lovingly.
“I’ve been ready all my life.” She smiled back at him.
He reached his hand to hold hers and muttered a spell.
Instantly she was transformed into a colourful
songbird.
“I have so much to share, so much to teach you!” He elatedly laughed.
And then, with Maviaku leading the way, they flew together
through the open window.
The following morning, when the chief attendant entered the Dowager
Queen’s quarters to awaken Her Grace, there was no trace of either Her Majesty
or the blue garment.
The End.
